Latest Issue of Review of Biblical Literature

  
The latest issue of Review of Biblical Literature is out. Reviews can be accessed by clicking the links below.


David L. Balch and Jason T. Lamoreaux, eds.
Finding A Woman's Place: Essays in Honor of Carolyn Osiek
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8089
Reviewed by Ralph K. Hawkins
 
John Barton
The Theology of the Book of Amos
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8544
Reviewed by Tyler Mayfield
Reviewed by Heinz-Dieter Neef
 
Keith Bodner
Jeroboam's Royal Drama
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8447
Reviewed by Matthew Suriano
 
Michael D. Coogan and Mark S. Smith, eds.
Stories from Ancient Canaan: Second Edition
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8516
Reviewed by Henk Potgieter
 
Dean Flemming
Philippians: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8145
Reviewed by Matt O'Reilly
 
Frank Lothar Hossfeld and Eric Zenger
Psalms 3: A Commentary on Psalms 101-150
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8367
Reviewed by Thomas Kraus
 
Alice L. Laffey
First and Second Kings
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8444
Reviewed by Ginny Brewer-Boydston
 
Thomas C. Oden
The African Memory of Mark: Reassessing Early Church Tradition
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8231
Reviewed by J. Christopher Edwards
 
Nicholas Perrin and Richard B. Hays, eds.
Jesus, Paul and the People of God: A Theological Dialogue with N. T. Wright
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8134
Reviewed by James P. Sweeney
   

Foundations: An International Journal of Evangelical Theology

  
A new issue of Foundations: An International Journal of Evangelical Theology is now out for free online here. This issue focuses on baptism.

HT: Guy Davies
 

Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible

  
The Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible series now has its website here. I have not found this series to be particularly helpful but some might. Here are links to sample pdfs of some of the volumes.

Genesis
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
1 Samuel
Ezra & Nehemiah
Proverbs & Ecclesiastes
Song of Songs
Ezekiel
Jonah
Luke
The Pastoral Epistles with Philemon & Jude
1 & 2 Peter

Themelios 37.3 is Out

  
The latest edition of Themelios, a 185 page PDF, is now available as as a free download here. Individual articles and features with links are as follows:

1. Andreas J. Köstenberger: The Present and Future of Biblical Theology
2. Rob Smith: Music, Singing, and Emotions: Exploring the Connections
3. Peter R. Schemm Jr. : The Writing Pastor: An Essay on Spiritual Formation
 
This issue also contains an editorial by D. A. Carson and some book reviews worth checking out. 
  

Christmas Traditions Infographic

  
Go here for a "History of the Christmas Traditions" infographic.
  

Some Books on Sale

  
The Westminster Bookstore has number of books on sale until December 11. Here are a few that I have selected.

A Puritan Theology: Doctrine for Life by Joel Beeke and Mark Jones and Meet the Puritans: With a Guide to Modern Reprints by Joel Beeke and Randall Pederson (2 Book Set) @ $45.00 - 53% Off

Inerrancy and the Gospels: A God-Centered Approach to the Challenges of Harmonization by Vern Poythress @ $9.00 - 50% off.

New Testament: A Historical and Theological Introduction by Donald Hagner @ $29.99 - 40% off. This is still not as good as the offer here but it is as good as was offered at ETS and SBL.
 

Lightning or Lightning Bug?

Mark Twain once intoned that “the difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.” Bible teachers and preachers also know the importance and power of words. Indeed it is our stock-in-trade. But for some it is easier to turn a phrase in a sermon than it is to produce a timely word in a more personal setting. For those who struggle to find the perfect word on such occasions, Liz Duckworth has provided some help. Her brief, easy-to-read book APerfect Word for Every Occasion supplies practical suggestions for finding just the right word for most commonly occurring occasions. The occasions addressed in this work include grief, gratitude, sickness, suffering, birthdays, weddings, engagements, encouragements related to personal setbacks, celebrations, events, activities, words of truth and love (i.e., apologies, confrontations, etc.), and even a section devoted to using the right words in cyberspace. Each section typically includes guidelines for finding the right words, prompts to help you begin, words to make your own, a guide of what not to say, and quotes worth sharing. In general the author does a good job helping one find “apples of silver” (Prov 25:11). Not all the suggestions here are original, but even the familiar expressions seem to be appropriately chosen. At the end of the day, one has to own their own words for them to be authentic, but the author has given tangible assistance to those who are looking for the perfect word, or at least a better word, for those day-to-day opportunities to minister through one’s words.  

A free review copy of this book was provided by Bethany House Publishers. 
   

Jesus in the University

  
See this article concerning a recent survey of 316 religious courses from 12 universities across the country and the general absence of courses on the life and teachings of Christ. Here is the original article on which the above article was based.
 

Free Logos Resource of the Month: Dr. Ryrie's Articles

  
The free Logos "book" for the month of December is Charles Ryrie's Dr. Ryrie's Articles. I am not sure this really qualifies as a book since it appears to be a hodgepodge collection of 28 articles but it is free. You can read more about it here. You can also register to win Charles Ryrie's Legacy Collection.